Trains running normal, ice on roads

Staff reports

Updated 7:02 am, Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Regular service on Metro-North trains, including all branch lines, starts today -- more than five days after a blizzard slammed Connecticut.

All trains will operate on regular schedule, including the Waterbury branch line that was crippled by nearly three feet on snow that fell on the tracks. Bus service for that line was also suspended because of poor road conditions.

State Department of Transportation crews worked overnight to remove piles of snow alongside major highways. That work will on such roads as I-95, I-84 and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways winded down as the morning commute began.

The biggest problems facing commuters Wednesday morning is ice on roads that formed over night from once melting snow that freezed overnight. Temperatures dipped in the 20, but are expected to rise into the 40 later today.

Police urged extra caution on side streets and on highway exit and entrance ramps.

Today will be the day thousands of "non-essential" state employees return to work. Gov. Dannel Malloy told those employees not to report to work on Friday and Monday. On Tuesday, all state workers got the day off as well in observance of Lincoln's birthday.

More roads are open in Bridgeport Wednesday morning as additional crews and the National Guard joined the city in opening snow-clogged roads. Mayor Bill Finch said he expects to have 300 streets passable by today. The city has received more assistance with payloaders and other heavy equipment coming from as far away as Buffalo, N.Y., and neighboring Danbury, Wilton and Greenwich. Nearly 100 pieces of equipment, including payloaders and high-wheel vehicles are currently working to clear the Park City's streets.